Junior vocal performance major Marissa Rudd is not only gearing up for her second performance of this fall’s opera, getting ready for fall break, and finishing up this semester, she is working hard to prepare for her performance in the International Vocal Competition presented by Boulder Music Institute, Boulder Opera Company, and the Boulder Symphony. The competition takes place this Saturday, Nov. 15 at 7 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Boulder. Tickets are $15/public and $10/students.

According to the competition website, “singers from Juilliard, Carnegie-Mellon, Peabody, and Miami will compete again Colorado’s finest talent for cash prizes and roles in [Boulder Opera Company’s] fall production of La bohéme.” These eight singers will perform arias from La bohéme and Carmen, under the baton of Devin Hughes of the Boulder Symphony.

BMI’s Artistic Director and Vocal Technician Lauren Sawyer says that “[t]he singers featured in this concert/ Competition have been carefully chosen through preliminary auditions in New York and Boulder, and we expect the finals to be tough to decide.”

Marissa learned about her audition for the competition while she was performing at the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) competition earlier this semester.

“I actually went back and forth between Denver and Boulder for a few different auditions that day,” said Marissa. “So I was preparing each aria in my head during the trips.”

When asked how she got into the competition vein, Marissa cited the help of her professor, Dr. John Seesholtz, assistant professor of voice at CSU.

“Dr. J is always sending us info about these events,” she said. “And he thought I should go for it, so I did!”

"This is a huge accomplishment for Marissa," said John Seesholtz. "She's a very talented singer and we're so proud of her!"

Marissa was selected as one of only eight performers who represent some of the most promising up-and-coming singers who will be adjudicated at the competition/final concert. The audience will also have the opportunity to vote for a favorite singer.